7C

POLS 207 State & Local Government - Chapter 7C: Interest Groups and the Idea of Competition

Instructor: Dr. Roblyer, Ph.D.
Source: Based on original slides provided by Dr. Harvey Tucker

Learning Objectives

  1. Definition and Comparison

    • Explain what an interest group is and how it differs from political parties in the following functions:

      • Constituent Function

      • Information Function

      • Government Function

  2. Concerns in Texas Tribune Video

    • Discuss conservative and progressive concerns voiced during the 2012 election season regarding the role of interest groups.

  3. Determinants of Power and Influence

    • Describe the role of membership size, budget, expertise, and status in determining the power and influence of interest groups.

  4. Ranking of Interest Group Types in Texas

    • Characterize the strongest, middling, and weakest types of interest groups in Texas, explaining their positions and linking them to Elazar’s conclusions about Texas’ political culture.

  5. Access, Money, and Expertise

    • Explain how these three components work together for interest groups and why legislators often require outside experts.

  6. Role of Lobbyists

    • Characterize how lobbyists interact with and influence the Texas government.

  7. Political Action Committees (PACs)

    • Detail the who, what, how, and why of PACs at the state level.

  8. Texas Laws on Political Donations

    • Explain the laws regarding political donations from corporations and businesses, and how these entities use PACs to influence elections.

  9. Influence Contest

    • Discuss the dynamics between citizens, interest groups, PACs, and lobbyists in influencing policy making.

  10. Liabilities of PACs

    • Describe how PACs can become liabilities in elections when they don't support winning candidates.

  11. Causal Mechanisms

    • Explain a causal mechanism that could elucidate the correlations between lobbyists and state government employees, revenues, and expenditures in 2010.

  12. Correlation with Policy

    • Discuss why correlations between interest group influence and contentious policies like taxes are minimal to non-existent.

  13. Advantages and Disadvantages of Interest Groups

    • Explain the pros and cons of interest groups in politics.

Interest Groups

  • Definition:

    • Organizations composed of people who share one or more interests.

    • They do not necessarily seek to balance or find common ground.

    • The primary aim is to influence the political system and policy outcomes.

Functions of Interest Groups

  • Constituent Function:

    • Limited in capacity; does not select candidates but supports them.

    • Can support both contestants in the same office.

  • Information Function:

    • Usually limited beliefs and policy preferences.

    • Target audience primarily comprises group members rather than the general public.

  • Government Function:

    • Do not directly organize government.

    • Organize and furnish information to government for specific policy goals.

    • Contribute a significant portion of state and national campaign funds.

Interest Group Assets

  • Large Membership Numbers:

    • Challenges include difficulties in organization and stimulating participation.

    • Subject to the "free-rider problem".

    • Example: The power of the NRA stems not only from membership size but also from selective incentives that engage active members.

  • Wealth:

    • Important but not always sufficient for influence.

  • Expertise:

    • Refers to the depth of information available and well-prepared arguments.

  • Status:

    • Established track record of visible successes; recognized expertise and funding sources contribute to status.

Pecking Order of Interest Groups in Texas

  • Business Types:

    • Strongest; better organized & wealthier than other types.

    • Examples: Chemical Council, oil & gas companies, Texas Medical Association, insurance groups.

  • Occupational Types:

    • Weaker than business types, particularly when compared to other states.

  • Ethnic & Racial Interest Groups:

    • Generally the weakest category.

    • Connection to Elazar’s ideas about Texas’ political culture illustrates concentration of influence among business interests.

Access, Money, and Expertise

  • Access as a Goal:

    • Personal access to legislators is paramount for interest groups.

    • Successful access leads to favorable policies.

  • Financial Contributions:

    • Interest groups utilize various methods to contribute money, notably through entertaining legislators and making direct campaign contributions.

    • In Texas, corporations cannot directly contribute to candidates, necessitating alternate mechanisms.

Expert Knowledge as Access

  • Interest groups can provide critical help in understanding complicated policy issues.

  • Decision-makers often rely on expertise to formulate arguments and draft legislation.

Lobbying

  • Definition of Lobbying:

    • To attempt to influence policy makers through face-to-face interaction.

    • Written communication through emails and phone calls supplement direct lobbying techniques.

  • Access to Influence:

    • Everyone has the right to influence government officials, but actual influence depends on means such as expertise, time, and financial resources.

  • Lobbying Environment in Texas:

    • Texas houses over 2200 lobbyists across various sectors.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

  • Who and What:

    • PACs are formed by interest groups, industries, or individuals to collect and contribute funds to political candidates and causes.

  • How and Why:

    • PACs amplify the financial influence of large groups compared to individual contributions.

State Contributions

  • Limitations on Contributions:

    • Only certain states impose limits on PAC contributions to state elections (e.g., Maine, California).

    • Texas has no limit on PAC contributions, contrasting with federal election laws.

    • Politicians can be more responsive to PACs as they provide financial support that amplifies their electoral abilities.

Consequences of PAC Contributions

  • Liabilities for Candidates:

    • PACs may not always support winning candidates; significant financial backing does not guarantee electoral success.

Correlations and Influences

  • Analysis from 2010 indicates correlations between lobbyists and various state metrics such as employment and expenditures.

    • Correlation Statistics include:

      • Revenue: $0.66

      • Expenditures: $0.66

      • Lobbyist Clients: $0.61

      • State Population: $0.61

Interest Group Influence on Public Policies

  • Influences measured on issues such as tax burdens and welfare benefits reveal weak connections.

    • Lower tax burdens sometimes correlate (-0.30), but overall effects are inconsistent due to competing interest groups.

Advantages of Interest Groups

  • Continuous communication with government, providing essential information not limited to election cycles.

  • High intensity of preferences; thus, they can exert influence more rapidly than political parties.

Disadvantages of Interest Groups

  • Often represent narrow segments, sometimes providing biased information to government and the public.

  • Can contribute to legislative gridlock.

Conclusion

  • The intersection of state politics with interest groups and political parties leads to complex dynamics.

  • As interest groups gain strength, parties may become less influential.

  • The Citizens United v. FEC decision has further increased the role of money in elections, making it crucial for voters to engage with and support interest groups that align with their values.

Practice Problems

  • Students are encouraged to engage with practice problems to reinforce understanding of the material covered in this chapter.